Massive Fraud Uncovered in Gujarat: Ten Arrested in Rs 5.48 Crore Scam

The Gujarat CID-Crime has arrested ten individuals, including government employees and contractors, for forging documents to secure Rs 5.48 crore in approvals without executing any work. The accused officials from the Gujarat Water Supply & Sewerage Board (GWSSB) allegedly presented fake bills and deposit receipts to siphon off funds meant for drinking water projects.

The Gujarat CID-Crime on Wednesday arrested ten persons, including government employees and contractors, in connection with a Rs 5.48 crore scam, police said.

The implicated officials of the Gujarat Water Supply & Sewerage Board (GWSSB) allegedly forged bills and Fixed Deposit Receipts (FDR) to obtain payments to seven contractors without any work done.

Following an FIR under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, the CID-Crime's Surat zone office arrested ten out of the 14 accused, as stated in a release.

Among the arrested were a retired GWSSB engineer, current employees, and contractors. The group fraudulently approved funds meant for drinking water projects.

Patel and his co-conspirators bypassed tender rules, awarded contracts without documentation, and presented false bills for payment, CID-Crime stated.

A field visit confirmed no such work was completed, and investigations revealed that the contractors presented fake deposit receipts.

(With inputs from agencies.)